Eagles in Withered Tree by Bada Shanren

Eagles in Withered Tree 

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toned paper

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ink painting

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rough brush stroke

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incomplete sketchy

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bird

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possibly oil pastel

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underpainting

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watercolour bleed

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watercolour illustration

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botany

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mixed medium

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watercolor

Copyright: Public domain

This ink-on-paper work presents us with two eagles perched on a withered tree, rendered with stark, expressive brushstrokes. The eagle, an ancient symbol of power and sovereignty, is here juxtaposed with a lifeless tree, hinting at themes of decline and resilience. The motif of birds in art carries a rich, evolving history. Consider the Roman imperial eagle, an emblem of military might. Here, the eagles, though regal, are set against a barren landscape. This recalls images of birds—ravens and owls—associated with melancholy, wisdom, or ill omens. The composition evokes a deep, subconscious connection to the cyclical nature of life and death. This image speaks to an enduring human fascination with nature's rhythms, the impermanence of power, and the inevitable return of life from decay. In the dance of symbols across time, we find echoes of our shared cultural memory.

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